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Predicted XI: Expected changes to Leicester City lineup vs. Southampton

By Thomas Bradley Alderman

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Fans arrive outside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Leicester City at St Mary's Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Fans arrive outside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Leicester City at St Mary's Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images) /
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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 25: Fans arrive outside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Leicester City at St Mary’s Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 25: Fans arrive outside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Leicester City at St Mary’s Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images) /

Leicester City are currently realising their ambition, albeit with much of the season remaining. They play Southampton on Friday, expect one change to the starting line-up.

In Leicester City’s previous Premier League outing versus Burnley last weekend, the Foxes were victorious. Thanks to goals from Jamie Vardy and Youri Tielemans. Foxes of Leicester expected – along with attempting to justify – manager Brendan Rodgers to begin with Wilfred Ndidi and Hamza Choudhury as a pairing of defensive-midfielders.

Rodgers did not employ that system as he has against so-called big six opposition, thankfully. Sean Dyche’s side can be a particularly competitive team in the middle so it wasn’t unlikely either. However, it is very pleasing and encouraging to see the more attacking set-up fielded.

In fact, when playing clubs like Liverpool, and Manchester United specifically, it would have benefited Leicester to have a more forward-thinking formation. This writer would go as far as to say the East Midlands outfit would’ve triumphed at Old Trafford earlier in the campaign had the Northern Irishman at the helm chosen to do so.

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Leicester City vs. Southampton

With that style in mind, Leicester play Southampton on Friday in their latest top-flight contest and should go for the win once more. FoL suggest a 4-1-2-3 line-up with one personnel alteration; a sentiment echoed by LCFC Live. James Maddison is described as “fit and ready for Friday” by Rodgers from the same outlet.

Kasper Schmeichel; Ricardo Pereira, Jonny Evans, Caglar Soyuncu, Ben Chilwell; Wilfred Ndidi; Youri Tielemans, Dennis Praet; Maddison, Harvey Barnes, Jamie Vardy.

light. Related Story. Maddison: naivety or intention?

With a full squad fit and to choose from except Matty James, this is probably the strongest starting XI. Praet has earned a chance at the loss of the underperforming Ayoze Perez. Barnes and Maddison should be left and right support strikers here, with the No.10 afforded roaming license. The King Power club will be focused on continuing their excellent beginning with a win at St Mary’s Stadium.